Arrests Up During Drink Drive Campaign

As the summer drinkand drug driving campaign comes to an end, figures reveal that 100 drivers have been arrested – an increase on last summer’s 88 arrests.

The month-long campaign ran from Friday 1 June to Saturday 30 June 2012 and saw every driver involved in a collision being breath tested – irrespective of whether they were suspected of drink driving or not.
 
Final figures show that the vast majority of drink drivers on Dorset’s roads are men – with 80 of the 100 people arrested during the campaign being male drivers. 
 
Young men in particular continue to be risking lives by drink driving, with almost half of all the drivers arrested – 43 of the 100 – being men aged under 30. 
 
Chief Inspector Matt Butler, Head of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “It is really disappointing to see that drink drive arrests have increased for the second summer running. 
 
“In the 12 months before the campaign started, there were four fatal road traffic collisions in Dorset that were attributed to driving or riding while under the influence of alcohol. This accounts for nearly a quarter of all fatal collisions during that time. 
 
“Of the 100 arrests during the June campaign, a quarter of these were made following a collision.
 
“This shows that collisions really do happen if you drive under the influence of alcohol.
 
“Our message, as ever, remains simple – do not risk lives by drinking and driving.”
 
If convicted, all of the drivers arrested during the campaign will face at least a 12 month driving ban. They will also face a fine of up to £5,000, up to six months in prison and a criminal record.
 
Chief Inspector Butler continued: “I would like to thank those members of the public who contacted us with information about suspected drink drivers during the campaign.
 
“As always, I’d encourage the public to continue to provide us with information about drink drivers so that we can take action against them.
 
“Members of the public should dial 999 if they suspect someone is driving, or is about to drive, under the influence of alcohol or drugs so that we can intercept that vehicle.
 
“Now that the summer campaign has come to an end it doesn’t mean we will stop pursuing irresponsible drivers on our roads. We will continue to target drink drivers throughout this special summer in Dorset.
 
“If you’re going out drinking over the summer, take simple steps such as having a designated driver in your group of friends, using public transport or booking a taxi, or arranging overnight accommodation.”
 
If a member of the public has information about regular drink or drug drivers, they should contact Dorset Police in confidence on the non-emergency number 101 to report this. Alternatively,members of the public can call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.